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Inglewood Court House

Location Southey Street,, INGLEWOOD VIC 3517 - Property No B5890 File Number B5890 Level State

[1/1] B5890 Court House

Statement of Significance

The Inglewood Court House, built in 1860 by Thomas Watt to a standard design of Public Works Department architect Alfred T Snow, is architecurally and historically significant at a State level.
The Inglewood Court House is architecturally significant as the most intact example of a group of court houses described as being in the "Victorian Free Classical" style. The buildings in this style date from 1860 to 1874 and the Inglewood Court House remains the second oldest, but most complete, building of the group. The building is distinguished amongst other court house buildings for the high integrity of its interal fittings and fixtures, which are near complete and were locally made, and for its ability to demonstrate the original function of the building. The building is also architecturally significant for its association with Alfred Snow, a PWD architect responsible for the design of a number of early Victorian court houses and is a very early use of stilted segmental arches.
The Inglewood Court House is historically significant for its association with gold mining activities in Victoria and the subsequent development of the colony. The rush to the goldfields in the 1860s resulted in a surge in population and and ensuing need for the erection of public buildings. The Inglewood Court House is a significant example of a small court house building constructed during the gold rush period and sustained for over 100 years in its law and justice activities. The building is important for its ability to express an important role in early gold mining in Victoria.
Classified: 10/12/1987
Revised: 03/08/1998